Tag: how to improve as an artist

DOING Is Better Than Thinking – Artistic Life Lessons | Liron’s Podcast Episode 112

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

In today’s podcast episode I’m talking about why I believe DOING is always superior to thinking and planning – when it comes to learning a new artistic skill or creating.

The Real Way to Learn

Like sports, music and many other endeavors – the only real way to learn in my opinion is to DO.

I had that experience with learning watercolor. Very early on I realized that I can spend hours watching videos and reading tutorials. But it was ME who had to learn how to control water and paint.

If I wanted to learn how to paint, I had to experience the challenges of mixing, applying the paint, failing with the timing and so on.

Writing My Story

The reason this topic came to mind was that I’m now experiencing this all over again with the story I’m writing. There’s no substitute to actually WRITING.

Then I can improve and fix mistakes. But I need to have something written first. You can’t really re-write what’s in your head only.

Planning & Learning Has It’s Place

I do believe it’s important to think, learn and plan. But I always believe they’re overestimated.

I had to do a lot of research for my story, its historical settings and so on. But every hour spent in research, in my opinion – should be backed up with 3 hours of creation, if possible.

At some point, you can fall into the trap of over-information and wanting to feel like you’ve accomplished something – by listening and watching videos.

So again – it’s all in the balance.

This is mine – find your own.

Now IS The Time

I think for many people – now’s the perfect time to create, with the Coronavirus crisis. So many people are stuck at home, being forced to take time off.

If that’s you – now’s the opportunity to write that novel you wanted, to work on that painting you had in mind, or to practice yoga (haha – whatever it is!!).

NOW’S THE TIME. Go and do (:

And this is it for this one.

I hope you found it helpful and thought-provoking.

Here’s where you can get in touch with me online:

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan

My BIGGEST Mental Challenge So Far | Liron’s Podcast Episode 110

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

In today’s episode I’m venting a bit, and sharing what is probably my biggest mental challenge so far, in my artistic career.

The Rocky Road

Any road leading towards a worthwhile goal is going to be rocky and challenging.

I have experienced quite a lot of external and internal challenges and roadblocks so far.

And this is further exacerbated when you’re building something of your own, and are basically the only person to blame, haha!

The Challenge I Currently Face

I experience a combination of multiple challenges that make up the current one.

Here are some recurring themes:

  • Too much time for content creation, not enough time for artistic creation. I refer to QUALITY time for experimentation and celebration of art, without the need or even willingness to share and document. Selfishness in a good way.
  • Realizing that the road to greatness is longer than expected.
  • Adding in MANGA creation to my list of tasks.
  • Going to bed too late and waking up too late.
  • More personal responsibilities eating away at my time.
  • Lack of motivation and connection to the larger vision.

All of these together, make a formidable challenge for me to conquer.

You Are Not Alone

If you’re in a similar position, I want you to know that this is something experienced by many, If not everyone.

These challenges can be a little frustration, however, we should view them as a guiding light. They are here to teach us a lesson we don’t know yet.

Looking at it this way, I hope you’ll see the positive in them, and learn to overcome them.

I will do my best, and share the developments.

I hope you found this episode encouraging, or at the very least interesting and entertaining (:

I’ll talk to you again soon,

— Liron

Here’s where you can contact me online (:

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan

— Liron

How to Improve FASTER in Your Art | Conscious Effort & Focus | Liron’s Podcast Episode 108

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

In this episode I wanted to share with you a way, an approach, for improving MUCH FASTER in your art.

Conscious Effort & Focus

The idea here is to go BEYOND the norm, when it comes to practicing your art and craft.

Some examples I provide:

  • Instead of directly drawing figures from reference – try reconstructing them from simple 3d shapes.
  • Try drawing the head from multiple angles using reference, and then drop the reference and try to rotate and draw the head from your imagination.
  • Rather than paint a scene once, how about painting it multiple times, with a different goal in mind each time? Once – focus on values, then – temperature. The try to add or remove elements from it, make stuff up.

The idea here is to take our practice sessions to the border of our comfort zone. Not too hard that you get frustrated fast. Not too easy.

Right on the border.

These ways of practicing really require CONSCIOUS EFFORT, and you will feel tired afterwards (that’s how you know you do it right!).

Repetition

I want to give you another good example for conscious effort and pushing through the comfort zone.

I recently sketched the exact same figure 4-5 times until I got it right.

In the past, I would have moved on to a different one after the first attempt. This is better than giving up completely. But how about trying again and again until you get it right? This will REALLY help you push through and learn something important, I find.

Time is Limited

Many people don’t have a lot of time to practice. You may have a day job, a family, responsibilities.

This way of practicing will make you far more effective.

So if you only have 15 minutes a day – why not make them work like 30 minutes?

I hope this makes sense, and I hope you’ll give it a try.

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly what to do to practice this way. If you’re drawing and painting, I gave you some solid examples. But if not – do your proper research and figure it out.

You will not regret it.

Good luck!

— Liron

Here’s where to find me online

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan

— Liron

The Learning Curve is Actually a SPIRAL | Liron’s Podcast Episode 107

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Art, creativity and the art business. In this episode I’m talking about the artistic skills learning curve, and how it functions as a SPIRAL. We learn and relearn things at varying levels of competence.

Feeling Like You’re Not Improving VS Actual Improvement

The gist of this episode is the idea of practicing consistently, but feeling sometimes like you’re not improving, or even going backwards.

I experience this occasionally, and often it’s a matter of your eyes and understanding improving.

You actually DO improve, which causes you to better recognize the faults in your own work. It also allows you to see more of the potential.

This makes it SEEM like your moving backwards, when in fact you ARE IMPROVING.

How to Recognize Improvement

My #1 tip for you to do that is to look at older artworks you’ve made!

Look at older paintings, drawings and sketches. Are you really moving backwards? Do you think the older work is better.

Often you’ll find they are of lesser quality. It’s just that your standards rose even more than your skills.

So the next time you feel that way, try revisiting old work and see for yourself.

And this is also why I HIGHLY RECOMMEND not throwing away anything. Everything you make – is worthy of keeping. Trust me.

And with that, we’ll wrap this one up. I hope you enjoyed it and perhaps gained a new perspective.

And here’s where to find me online!

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan

— Liron

Expanding My Artistic Horizons & Painting Beyond What You See | Liron’s Podcast Episode 99

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

In this episode I’m sharing my thoughts on the trajectory I’m planning on taking with my paintings and drawings, in order to expand my artistic horizons and create more, and evolve my AUTHENTIC creation.

Authenticity is Key!

The key here really is authenticity.

I want to create in a way that’s authentic to my artistic vision.

Think about it – why do some people simplify their work? Why do others paint hyper-realistically?

Why do some people go for abstract?

Technique and approach are SECONDARY to your authentic vision. If the vision is abstract – perfect! If it’s realistic – also perfect!

My Artistic Goals

I want to go beyond techniques, methods and “approaches”, and improve my skill of CONNECTING WITH THE REFERENCE, and seeing it with fresh and clear eyes.

I know it’s a bit “woo-woo”, but hopefully this makes sense!

Let me know your thoughts in a comment below, and feel free to reach out on any platform (:

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan